UC Sampdoria Away Shirt 2016/17 – Ricky Álvarez – No.11 – Player Issued – Joma – Serie A

Ricky Álvarez's away shirt: the 2016/17 Sampdoria in an original team-issued exemplar

The UC Sampdoria Away kit for the 2016/2017 season in Player Issued version is one of the most original and visually distinctive kits in Italian football of those years. Made by Joma in white with the characteristic brushstroke effect in the blucerchiati colors — blue, red, and black — on the chest and back, it recalls the history of the Genoese club founded by the merger of Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria. The coat of arms of the city of Genoa is applied at the center of the front design. The inner label reads "Exclusive Design Approved by Professional Team Athletes" and the collar tape bears the words "Solo La Sampdoria" in Italian, an exclusive customization for the team supply. The official Serie A TIM 2016-2017 patch is sewn on the left sleeve. The back features the nickname RICKY and the number 11 with the sponsor SsangYong XLV. Good condition, with some small storage imperfections highlighted in the photos.

The player: Ricky Álvarez

Ricardo Andrés Álvarez Salas, nicknamed Ricky (San Rafael, Argentina, April 4, 1988), is an Argentine midfielder of exceptional technique who spent much of his career in Serie A. After starting in Argentina and a period in Spain, he arrived in Italy where he made a name for himself with Catania, Inter, and Sampdoria. With the blucerchiati club, he experienced some of the most representative seasons of his Italian career, contributing quality and creativity to the Doriano midfield. The nickname RICKY on the back of the shirt — instead of the official surname — is a detail that tells of the personal connection between the player and the club, a rarity in collecting that makes this item even more unique. He made several appearances for the Argentine national team, participating in multiple international tournaments for the albiceleste selection.

What is a Player Issued shirt?

A Player Issued shirt is a kit specifically prepared for a particular player but not necessarily used in every official match. It differs from the commercial version in its professional-grade technical materials, customization with the player's name and number, and exclusive internal details reserved for team supply — such as the inscription "Exclusive Design Approved by Professional Team Athletes" and the "Solo La Sampdoria" tape present in this item. In the hierarchy of football collecting, the Player Issued occupies a position superior to the store version and inferior only to the Match Worn, representing an authentic piece of growing collectible value.

Authenticity and MTM guarantee

MTM Memorabilia is the Italian benchmark for demanding collectors of authentic sports memorabilia. Each shirt is selected with rigorous criteria of authenticity, provenance, and quality by our experts. The originality of this item is guaranteed directly by MTM. All shipments are made with rigid, shockproof, and humidity-resistant packaging to ensure maximum protection during transport. Express courier delivery within 24/72 hours of payment confirmation, both for Italy and abroad.